Agents, compositions, and methods for treating pruritus and related skin conditions
This invention relates generally to a therapeutic use of TLR3 and TLR7 inhibitors to treat or reduce pruritus in a subject.
1. A method of reducing pruritus in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a toll-like receptor (TLR) 3 or TLR7 inhibitor, thereby reducing pruritus in the subject.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method comprises administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a TLR3 inhibitor.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the TLR3 inhibitor is an anti-TLR3 antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the TLR3 inhibitor is an inhibitory nucleic acid effective to specifically reduce expression of TLR3.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the inhibitory nucleic acid is a small interfering RNA molecule or antisense nucleic acid.
6. The method of claim 2 , wherein the TLR3 inhibitor is a small molecule.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein method comprises administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a TLR7 inhibitor.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the TLR7 inhibitor is an anti-TLR7 antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the TLR7 inhibitor is an inhibitory nucleic acid effective to specifically reduce expression of TLR7.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the inhibitory nucleic acid is a small interfering RNA molecule or antisense nucleic acid.
11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the TLR7 inhibitor is a small molecule.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject has, or is at risk of developing, pruritus.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject has atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, renal disease, or liver disease.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is infected with a virus.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the virus is human immunodeficiency virus or varicella zoster virus.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is being treated with chloroquine.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is a black African.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is a mammal.
19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is a human.
20. The method of claim 1 , wherein administration is topical.